2-0 win in friendly against Aue

Head coach Pál Dárdai named a strong starting XI to face FC Erzgebirge Aue in the Old Lady’s first game of the new year. Tjark Ernst started in net, with a back five of Jonjoe Kenny, Toni Leistner, Marc Kempf, Márton Dárdai and Michał Karbownik ahead of him. Pascal Klemens and Andreas Bouchalakis played either side of Bilal Hussein in the midfield, with Smail Prevljak and Haris Tabaković led the line.

No goals despite a first-half dominance

Hertha dictated the game from the outset and early chances fell to Tabaković and Hussein (8’, 12’). The Blue-Whites’ continued to dominate throughout the remainder of the first 45, with Bouchalakis almost playing Prevljak through on goal (42’), before firing over shortly before the half-time whistle (45’).
 

Niederlechner makes the difference

Pál made eleven changes during the break, but the Old Lady continued where they left off at the start of the second half. Florian Niederlechner started brightly but was unable to convert a chance in the 65th minute. He would be rewarded for his efforts six minutes later, however, as he fired home from close range to put Hertha in front (71’). Derry Scherhant looked to have doubled the lead, but his goal was ruled out for offside (78’). With one minute of normal time remaining, Niederlechner grabbed another, as he converted Scherhant’s saved shot to make the scoreline 2-0 (89’). Hertha celebrated a perfect start to the year a few minutes later as the referee brought the game to a close.

The team will travel to Spain on Sunday for a week-long training camp, where they will play two more friendlies

Hertha BSC (first half): Ernst – Kenny, Leistner (C), M. Dárdai, Kempf, Karbownik - Klemens, Hussein, Bouchalakis - Prevljak, Tabaković

Hertha BSC (second half): Gersbeck – Christensen, Pekarík, Gechter, Hoffmann, Lucoqui -  Zeefuik, Jindaoui, Rölke - Scherhant, Niederlechner

Goals: 1-0 Niederlechner (71'), 2-0 Niederlechner (82')

Referee: Daniel Bartnitzki

Attendance: 1,782